JackZ  //  John Evans—acclaimed chef and graduate of "the" Le Cordon Bleu in France who has worked with Bobby Flay and Thomas Keller—recently opened the doors to JackZ, a casual eatery where everything (even the desserts) are cooked in-house using high-quality, "real" ingredients. Café tables fill the open front room and a wine bar is tucked in the back, offering a cozy, country-style ambiance, while the kitchen pumps out fusion favorites like banh mi sandwiches with seared tuna, chicken Tex-Mex torta subs, and ranch steak salads with grilled filet mignon. I popped in on my lunch break and tried one of their “Fork & Knife” meals, which include your pick of protein and two sides, and soon selected the house specialty of a Half Chicken with buttery, fluffy Mashed Potatoes and al dente Green Beans. Marinated in a citrusy garlic herb sauce before being slow roasted with fruit wood, the meat was tender and juicy. With many daily specials, including a “2 for $10” lunch deal that comes with any two sandwiches and one side, and a $1.99 corkage fee—if you’d like to bring a bottle from your collection—you might find yourself wanting to linger just a little bit longer.  JackZ, 1821 Pleasant Valley Road, Placerville. 530-626-8045.